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Problem-Based Learning

SIU has been at the forefront of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) since its inception. The late Dr. Howard Barrows, who was instrumental in creating PBL, was in residence at SIU until his retirement. The application of PBL at Southern Illinois University is seen in the Problem-Based Learning Curriculum of the medical school.

The faculty of SIU has worked closely with teachers and schools in many different disciplines and areas (secondary education, college, veterinary medicine, nursing, dentistry, chiropractic, physiotherapy, business administration, engineering, law, computer science, and social service agencies). The many workshops put on by the SIU faculty have attracted a broad range of teachers.

Although many of the sections in this website describe patient problems, PBL learning, and assessment processes in medicine, they can be seen as examples of PBL as an educational process for teachers outside of medicine. The intent of the PBL is to help you design problems in your area and apply PBL in your teaching programs.